Light frame system with fastener clips

Abstract

A frame assembly for a door light is formed with inner and outer half-frames sandwiching a translucent panel. The half-frames have a plurality of side members defining a closed polygon. Each side member includes, in cross-section, a flat portion for supporting the frame in an opening in a support, a face portion extending from the flat portion towards the center of the polygon, a third portion extending inwardly from the face portion toward the other half-frame and to a position adjacent the translucent panel, and a fourth portion extending from the third portion parallel to the face portion and away from the center of the polygon. Fasteners extend through bores in the inner half-frame and engage clips slidably adjustable in the outer half-frame to couple and secure the half-frames in the support opening. Each clip has a base with an opening receiving a fastener, and legs with flanges engaging the fourth portion and a lip on the flat portion of the outer half-frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A frame assembly for a door light, comprising inner and outer half-frames sandwiching a translucent panel therebetween, each of said half-frames having a plurality of side members defining a closed polygon;   each of said side members including, in cross-section, a flat portion for supporting the frame in an opening in a support,   a face portion extending in a generally perpendicular direction from said flat portion toward a center of said polygon,   a third portion extending generally inwardly from said face portion toward the other half-frame to a position adjacent said translucent panel, and   a fourth portion extending from said third portion in a direction generally parallel to said face portion and away from the center of said polygon;     lips extending from said first portions and spaced from said face portions of said side members of said outer half-frame and extending generally toward the center of the polygon;   bores extending through said face portions of said inner half-frame;   clips attached to said outer half-frame, each clip being adjustably slidable along the respective side member, each said clip including a base with an opening,   a first leg extending from said base and having first flange extending angularly therefrom and engaging the respective lip, and   a second leg extending from said base and adjacent a peripheral edge of said translucent panel and having a second flange extending angularly therefrom and engaging the respective fourth portion of said outer half-frame; and     elongated fasteners extending through said bores and said openings and engaging said clips to couple and secure said half-frames in the support opening.   
     
     
       2. A frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first and second legs are substantially parallel and extend substantially perpendicularly from said base.   
     
     
       3. A frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein a fifth portion extends inwardly from said fourth portion of each said side member of each said half-frame toward the other half-frame and about the peripheral edge of the translucent panel;   said second legs of said clips engage and overlies said fifth portions.   
     
     
       4. A frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein said first and second legs are substantially planar.   
     
     
       5. A frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein said second leg of each said clip comprise a resilient projection extending and biased toward said translucent panel.   
     
     
       6. A frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein each said clip extends from said outer half-frame into an interior portion of said inner half-frame, with said base being adjacent and engaging said face portion of said inner half-frame.   
     
     
       7. A frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said half-frames are formed from sheet metal.   
     
     
       8. A frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said half-frames are formed of a unitary and continuous blank of sheet metal.   
     
     
       9. A frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein said inner and outer half-frames are separately and similarly formed of sheet material and have substantially similar side members.   
     
     
       10. A frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein said elongated fasteners and said openings in said clips are threaded.   
     
     
       11. A frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein insulating blocks are mounted in said outer half-frame, engage said face portions of said outer half-frame and trap said second flanges of said clips with said fourth portions of said outer half-frame.